(Credit: Molly O'Donnell)
- Photos:
-
The Kitty Kat Bar is definitely an original. You'll find the bar on a Remington block that's been designated an historic neighborhood, which essentially means that if you own a house here, you can't do anything to it. Ah, historic formstone.
Under the new ownership, the place has cleaned up and added some nice features, such as Friday night DJs spinning reggae, along with a free food buffet from Trattoria Annamaria—Italian, in case you couldn't tell from the name.
The relaxed atmosphere is intentional says Shepherd, "Basically, I wanted the place to be a hang out for people to chill and kick back." Facilitating this vibe is the well-stocked jukebox. Plus, all the show posters on the walls are legit, so if you see a poster on the wall, it means the owner was actually at the show. (Yes, even those '80s Descendents shows.) The decor can be a little confusing if you think that, like most bars, Kitty Kat is advertising upcoming shows. You'll be left scratching your head thinking, "Damn, I didn't know the Replacements were coming to town."
Largely, this place is a neighborhood hang out, but you never know who's going to pop in. (There was even a recent John Waters sighting.) The real attraction is bartender Dirty Trixie. Working on Tuesdays and Saturdays, she serves up drinks with a smile and stories that'll make you blush. The regulars are friendly and always up for a chat, so if you want to hide, this is not the place to be. If you sidle up to the bar, someone's bound to want to talk.
Food: The free food on Friday is delicious and free, but the Kitty Kat bar doesn't have a regular menu. Yet.
Booze: You want it, they got it: Domestic and imported draft and bottled beer, mixed drinks and wine. Don't expect to see any fancy cosmos on the drink menu, though. (Menu? What menu?) Kitty Kat also has cheap Guinness at $3.50 a glass (hey, that's cheap for Guinness), and it's often on special for cheaper. There are also old standbys such as Natty Boh and even more chic stuff like Stella and high-end vodkas and wines.
Digs: The peach walls were a gamble, but somehow they work. Other than at the bar, there's little seating, but, hey, isn't that where you want to be anyhow? You're closer to the drinks that way.
Vibe: It's a corner bar, so leave your stilettos at home. The laid-back vibe at Kitty Kat might make you feel like you're missing out on something. That is, until John Waters strolls in. Then you'll suddenly feel very hip.
